Foodstuff storage unit with specific bottle storage rail, pull-out device and household appliance

ABSTRACT

A foodstuff storage unit for a household appliance embodied to store foodstuffs having a plate-like foodstuff storage base forming a horizontal storage level. The foodstuff storage unit has a bottle storage rail which is arranged on a front edge of the foodstuff storage base and is embodied to store a bottle. A pull-out device and a household appliance are embodied to carry such a foodstuff storage unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Germanapplication DE 10 2020 201 781.6, filed Feb. 13, 2020; the priorapplication is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

One aspect of the invention relates to a foodstuff storage unit with afoodstuff storage base. One aspect of the invention also relates to apull-out device for a household refrigeration appliance. The pull-outdevice is embodied to store foodstuffs on different levels. For thispurpose, the pull-out device has a first foodstuff storage unit arrangedon a first level. This first foodstuff storage unit is mounteddisplaceably in a pull-out direction. For this purpose, the pull-outdevice has a separate second foodstuff storage unit arranged on a secondlevel different from the first level and mounted displaceably in thepull-out direction. In addition, the invention also relates to ahousehold appliance.

Foodstuff storage units are widely known. This includes units withplate-like foodstuff storage bases. A base of this kind can, forexample, be a shelf. Although storage goods can be placed on suchshelves, their use is limited.

Pull-out apparatuses are also known from the prior art. For example,U.S. patent publication No. 2006/0218958 A1 discloses a pull-out deviceembodied as a drawer which is provided to store bottles on differentlevels. A lower plate for storing such bottles is permanently connectedto a front wall of the drawer and can be pulled out therewith. A furtherplate for storing bottles arranged thereabove is connected to this lowerplate by a coupling device. During the process of pulling out in thepull-out direction, these plates embodied at different levels are pulledout over different pull-out lengths so that the bottles positionedthereabove are accessible in both levels. However, this coupling devicehas a complex embodiment so that coupling and decoupling is subject tocomplex processes thus giving rise to a certain susceptibility toerrors.

A pull-out device for a household refrigeration appliance is also knownfrom U.S. patent publication No. 2016/0178274 A1. This entails twointerconnectable bins. A coupling device has a vertically displaceablewedge that is able to couple with a stop in dependence on the drawerpull-position. The wedge is connected to spiral springs that areseparate therefrom and press the wedge downward.

Published European patent applications EP 3 546 864 A1 and EP 3 546 867A1 disclose pull-out apparatuses for storing foodstuffs at differentlevels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foodstuff storageunit, a pull-out device for a household appliance and a householdappliance in which prioritized positioning of stored goods is improved.

This object is achieved by a foodstuff storage unit, a pull-out deviceand a household appliance according to the independent claims.

One aspect of the invention relates to a foodstuff storage unit for ahousehold appliance. The foodstuff storage unit is embodied to storefoodstuffs. The foodstuff storage unit has a plate-like foodstuffstorage base. This is a substantive component. This foodstuff storagebase has a horizontal storage level. This is in particular an upper sideof the plate-like foodstuff storage base. The storage level is inparticular coherent and uninterrupted. Moreover, the foodstuff storageunit has a bottle storage rail. This bottle storage rail is arranged ona front edge of the foodstuff storage base. The bottle storage rail isembodied to store a bottle. It is in particular embodied for horizontalstorage of a bottle. It is in particular embodied only for horizontalstorage of a bottle thereupon. Such an embodiment of a foodstuff storageunit can on the one hand enable stored goods to be placed on thefoodstuff storage base. Moreover, it is additionally also possible for abottle to be stored on the bottle storage rail. This specific bottlestorage rail enables the bottle to be stored specifically with regard tothe storage position, namely horizontally. Moreover, it is enabled thatprecisely this position of the bottle storage rail enables this bottlealso to be stored in a very exposed position, namely in the depthdirection of the foodstuff storage unit in front of the plate-likefoodstuff storage base. This, on the one hand, enables quick access tothe bottle that may be stored there. On the other hand, this alsoenables the bottle to be positioned in a very exposed manner and hencealso to be, so-to-speak, presented. Hence, the bottle storage rail alsoforms a presentation rail for at least one bottle. Hence, in particularin advantageous embodiments, improved observation of a bottle presentedin this manner from outside a household appliance is enabled.

The bottle storage rail and the foodstuff storage base are preferablyseparate components. In particular, it is provided that the bottlestorage rail is arranged in a non-destructive detachable manner on thefront edge by means of a connection. Such an embodiment also enablesthese two separate components to be reversibly separated andreassembled. This can enable simple cleaning of the individualcomponents. Moreover, this bottle storage rail can be removed when it isnot needed, in particular if no bottle is to be stored thereupon.

It can be provided that this connection has a plug-in connection. It canalso be provided that this connection has a snap-on connection. It canalso be provided that this connection has a hook-in connection. Forexample, the bottle storage rail can then be hooked-in or suspended fromabove on the front edge of the foodstuff storage base. The mechanicalconnections are particularly simple, yet highly functional and robust.This also enables any lever forces that may occur and which act on thisconnection between the bottle storage rail and the foodstuff storagebase through a stored bottle to be absorbed without problems.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the length of bottlestorage rail is in particular equal to the width of the front edge ofthe foodstuff storage base. The length of the bottle storage rail isdimensioned in the width direction of the foodstuff storage unit. Thelongitudinal axis of this elongate bottle storage rail is oriented inthis width direction. Thus, this bottle storage rail so-to-speak alsoforms a front adapter to this foodstuff storage base. This adapterpreferably has exactly the same width as this front edge. Hence, it ispossible to avoid unwanted edges or steps on the opposite side regionsat the transition between the bottle storage rail and the foodstuffstorage base. In particular, this enables a particularly uniform overallmodule to be formed between the bottle storage rail and the foodstuffstorage base.

Viewed along its longitudinal axis, the dimensions of the bottle storagerail are embodied many times, in particular at least twice, inparticular at least three times, greater than in a directionperpendicular thereto, in particular in the depth direction of thefoodstuff storage unit. In this regard, the bottle storage rail is alsoformed in a board-like manner.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the bottle storagerail has a support channel. The bottle can be placed in or placed on thesupport channel. Such an embodiment enables a particularly advantageouspositioning of the horizontal bottle. This prevents the horizontalbottle from rolling down from the bottle storage rail in an unwantedmanner.

In particular, this support channel extends over the entire length ofthe bottle storage rail.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the bottle storagerail has at least one opening which is a ventilation slot. This is aparticularly advantageous embodiment. This is because on the one hand itenables air to be directed through this bottle storage rail in atargeted manner. This enables a bottle stored thereupon to betemperature-controlled in a particularly targeted manner. Moreover, itis additionally also possible for the air flowing through thisventilation slot to flow onto further components above the bottlestorage rail, for example an inner side of a door of a householdappliance, in particular a household refrigerating appliance. In anadvantageous embodiment, this also enables a targeted flow of air ontosuch components to be achieved. Hence, this can in particular alsoprevent misting or condensation of moisture on the inner side of thedoor.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the ventilation slotis oriented in the width direction of the foodstuff storage unit. Itextends in particular in the direction of the longitudinal axis of thefoodstuff storage rail or coaxially thereto. This is a further veryadvantageous embodiment. This is because it also enables the air flow toflow onto a horizontal bottle on the bottle storage rail, in particularflow around, so-to-speak over its entire length in a targeted manner.This enables particularly uniform temperature control of the horizontalbottle.

It is preferably provided that the ventilation slot is embodied in thesupport channel. This enables the aforementioned advantages to beachieved to a particular extent. This enables a particularly direct flowonto the bottle stored horizontally in the support line.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the bottlestorage rail has a thickening bar on an underside. This thickening bardelimits the ventilation slot on one side. This to the effect that adelimiting wall supplemented by the thickening bar is enlarged comparedto the rest of the delimiting wall of the ventilation slot. Viewed inthe depth direction, this thickening bar is in particular embodied in arear region on the underside. As a result, viewed in the depthdirection, a rear delimiting wall of the ventilation slot is embodiedhigher or enlarged in this regard. This enables improved guidance of theair that enters through the ventilation slot from below and flowsthrough the bottle storage rail.

It is preferably provided that the thickening bar extends over theentire length of the ventilation slot, in particular withoutinterruption.

Preferably, this thickening bar also achieves that the bottle storagerail is mechanically stabilized or stiffened in this rear region.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the ventilation slothas an upper slot outlet. This slot outlet is embodied in a rear half ofthe support channel in the depth direction of the foodstuff storageunit.

In a cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, the supportchannel is in particular U-shaped. As a result, this shape, which iscontinuously curved in one direction, in particular forms the centerwith its minimum point and hence the division into a front and a rearhalf. In particular, viewed in this depiction, the slot outlet iscompletely embodied in the rear half of the channel shape. This inparticular improves the air flow onto the bottle and achievesparticularly efficient temperature control. This position isparticularly advantageous as it hence also achieves a diversion of theair flow that passes through the ventilation slot from below and exitsat the slot outlet at the top. In particular a diversion of the air flowto a front edge of the bottle storage rail. This is because, viewed inthe depth direction, this positioning causes the circumferentiallyenclosed slot outlet with a rear contour region that, viewed in thevertical direction, delimits the slot outlet, to lie higher than afurther contour section lying further toward the front that delimits theslot outlet.

It is preferably provided that the slot outlet is embodied such that anair flow flowing therefrom flows to or in the direction of a front sideof the bottle storage rail.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the foodstuffstorage base is an uninterrupted shelf or a storage grid. When embodiedas a shelf, this can be a quadrangular plate. This is embodied withoutany interruption. In the case of a storage grid, this can also bequadrangular in terms of its basic geometry. It can then have rodsoriented parallel to one another and arranged at a distance from oneanother. This in particular achieves support regions. Additional bottlescan then in turn be individually stored horizontally therein. In oneadvantageous embodiment, it is hence provided that the foodstuff storagebase is also embodied for the horizontal storage of bottles. Inparticular, it is intended only to be used to store bottles.

It can be provided that the foodstuff storage unit is a bottledfoodstuff storage unit. It can then be embodied only and exclusively forthe storage of bottles when used as intended. In particular embodied forthe horizontal storage of bottles. Thus, it can be provided that thebottles stored on the foodstuff storage base are oriented in the depthdirection and hence placed from front to back or from back to front. Onthe other hand, the further bottle, which is in particular storedhorizontally on the bottle storage rail, is oriented perpendicularthereto and with its longitudinal axis oriented in the width direction.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a pull-out device for ahousehold refrigeration appliance. The pull-out device is embodied tostore foodstuffs on different levels. The foodstuffs can be positioneddirectly on this pull-out device itself. The pull-out device has a firstfoodstuff storage unit, which, when viewed in the vertical direction ofthe pull-out device, is arranged on a first level. The first foodstuffstorage unit is mounted displaceably in a pull-out direction orientedperpendicular to this vertical direction. Foodstuffs can be directlyplaced on or introduced into this foodstuff storage unit. The pull-outdevice has a separate second foodstuff storage unit separate from thefirst foodstuff storage unit, which is arranged on a second leveldifferent to the first level. Foodstuffs can also be placed directly onthis second foodstuff storage unit. Moreover, the pull-out device inparticular has a coupling device with which the movements of foodstuffstorage units can be coupled. In the movement-coupled state, thefoodstuff storage units can be pulled out together in the pull-outdirection. At least one foodstuff storage unit is embodied according tothe aforementioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof.

The coupling device preferably has a coupling element, which is aone-piece bracket that is intrinsically deformable in a resilientmanner, wherein the coupling element is arranged on a foodstuff storageunit. The coupling device has a first stop arranged on the otherfoodstuff storage unit, wherein the coupled state of the foodstuffstorage units is formed by the coupled state between the couplingelement and the stop. This coupled state can be released by theintrinsic resilient deformation of the one-piece bracket when thebracket is in contact with the stop and by guiding the bracket over thestop in the pull-out direction behind the stop.

The bracket is preferably V-shaped. This is a very advantageous shape inorder to achieve the intrinsic deformation of the one-piece bracket in avery precise and controlled manner. As a result, there is no unwantedabrupt deformation yet continuous deformation is still enabled so thatcontinual guidance over the first stop is enabled and the coupled stateis released in a continuous movement without sudden snapping.

It is preferably provided that, viewed in the vertical direction, thesecond foodstuff storage unit is arranged higher than the firstfoodstuff storage unit. Hence, the second level is in particularembodied above the first level. Viewed in the vertical direction, thetwo foodstuff storage units are arranged at a distance from one another.This distance is preferably dimensioned such that foodstuffs can beplaced on the lower foodstuff storage unit, which is in particularformed by the first foodstuff storage unit, even when, viewed in thedepth direction of the pull-out device, the two foodstuff storage unitsthat also define the pull-out direction are arranged at least partiallyoverlapping. In particular, the distance in the vertical directionbetween these two foodstuff storage units is greater than the thicknessof a beverage bottle.

Preferably, at least one foodstuff storage unit for the storage ofbottles is embodied on an upper side. Preferably beverage bottles, inparticular wine bottles, can be stored here. In this context, thepull-out device is then in particular a bottle-store pull-out device, inparticular a wine-bottle-store pull-out device.

It is preferably provided that receptacles, in particular cavitiesand/or openings, explicitly designed as bottle-store regions areembodied at least on an upper side of least one foodstuff storage unit.This enables bottles to be placed on the upper side of a foodstuffstorage unit in a non-slip or roll-proof manner. Such a storage regioncan be channel-like. It is also possible for a foodstuff storage unit tobe embodied as a grid or as a crossbar structure so that at leastdepressions, in particular complete openings, are embodied between twogrid bars or crossbars so that a bottle can be placed in this region andis positioned in a non-slip and roll-proof manner.

It is preferably provided that the first foodstuff storage unit is astorage plate and/or the second foodstuff storage unit is a storageplate. In this context, a storage plate is understood to be both afull-surface embodiment of a solid board-like or shelf-like component.However, a storage plate is, for example, also understood to be agrating or a bracing frame or a truss frame.

Alternatively, however, at least one foodstuff storage unit can, forexample, also be embodied as a bin or tub-like container.

Hence, with such an embodiment, the foodstuff storage unit is muchhigher than a storage plate that is substantially only defined by itsthickness in the vertical direction and therefore has a relatively lowheight.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that, in decoupled state,the foodstuff storage units can be displaced independently of oneanother against the pull-out direction. This also means, that, inparticular after the decoupling, the upper, in particular second,foodstuff storage unit can be inserted independently of the lower, inparticular first, foodstuff storage unit. The first foodstuff storageunit can then also be inserted against this pull-out direction inparticular after the insertion of the upper foodstuff storage unit andbrought into its final inserted state.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance, inparticular a household refrigeration appliance, having a housing inwhich at least one receiving space for foodstuffs is embodied. Thehousehold refrigeration appliance has a pull-out device according to theaforementioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. Thepull-out device is arranged displaceably in the receiving space in thedepth direction of the household refrigerating appliance.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the pull-out devicecan have pull-out rails, in particular telescopic rails. These pull-outrails enable the foodstuff storage units to be pulled out in thepull-out direction. The pull-out rails are different components from thefoodstuff storage units. The pull-out rails can be arranged on thefoodstuff storage units.

The household refrigeration appliance preferably has a receiving spacethat can be closed at the front by two separate doors. These twoseparate doors are arranged in the width direction without overlappingone another and, in the closed state, extend at a level spanned by thevertical direction and the width direction. The household refrigerationappliance preferably has a second receiving space embodied to storefoodstuffs. This second receiving space can be embodied to receive thepull-out device. In particular when the pull-out device is embodied as adrawer, a front door of this further receiving space can be formed bythe front wall of the drawer. It can be provided that, viewed in thevertical direction, the second receiving space is embodied below thefirst receiving space. It can be provided that the first receiving spaceis a cooling compartment. The second receiving space can be embodied tostore bottles. It can preferably be provided that the householdrefrigeration appliance has a third receiving space embodied as separatefrom the first and second receiving space. This third receiving spacecan be a freezer compartment. This third receiving space can also beclosed at the front by a door separate from the other doors mentioned.This door can be a pivoting door that can be pivoted about an axis thatis in particular oriented in the vertical direction. However, this doorcan also be a front wall of a drawer that is linearly displaceable inthe depth direction.

The terms “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”,“depth direction”, “width direction”, “vertical direction” etc. refer tothe positions and orientations during the intended use and intendedarrangement of the apparatus or appliance.

Further features of the invention may be derived from the claims, thefigures and the description of the figures. The features and featurecombinations mentioned above in the description and the features andfeature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figuresor shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectivelyspecified combination but also in other combinations or alone withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Hence, embodiments of theinvention that are not explicitly shown or disclosed in the figures butare derived from and can be generated by separate feature combinationsshould also be considered to be disclosed. Hence, embodiments andfeature combinations that do not have all the features of an originallyformulated independent claim should also be considered to be disclosed.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a foodstuff storage unit with specific bottle storage rail, apull-out device and a household appliance, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents ofthe claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however,together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective depiction of an exemplaryembodiment of a household appliance;

FIG. 2 a perspective depiction of an exemplary embodiment of a pull-outdevice;

FIG. 3 is a perspective depiction of sub-components of the arrangementaccording to FIG. 2 in a different perspective to that in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a perspective depiction of an exemplary embodiment of a bottlestorage rail of a foodstuff storage unit from above;

FIG. 5 is a perspective depiction of an exemplary embodiment of a bottlestorage rail of a foodstuff storage unit from below;

FIG. 6 is a sectional depiction through the bottle storage railaccording to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional depiction through a sub-region of the householdrefrigerating appliance according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the figures, the same or functionally equivalent elements are giventhe same reference numbers.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first,particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a household appliance.This shows as an exemplary embodiment a household refrigerationappliance 1 embodied to store and preserve foodstuffs. In the exemplaryembodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 is a combinedfridge-freezer appliance. The household refrigeration appliance 1 has ahousing 2 in which a plurality of separate receiving spaces forfoodstuffs are embodied. In this context, a first receiving space 3 isembodied, which in the present exemplary embodiment is embodied as acooling compartment. Moreover, the household refrigeration appliance 1has a receiving space 4 embodied therebelow in the vertical direction(y-direction), which can, for example, represent a partial volume of thereceiving space 3. In one exemplary embodiment, it is possible to set anatmospheric humidity and/or a temperature in the receiving space 4 thatare different from those in the rest of the partial volume of thereceiving space 3 disposed thereabove. It can in particular also beprovided that the receiving space 4 is embodied as a receiving spaceseparate from the receiving space 3. The receiving space can, forexample, also a be a bottle storage space, in particular for winebottles.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the receiving space 3can be closed by a plurality of separate doors arranged at the front. Inthis context, the receiving space 4 can be closed by a door 5, which ishere a front wall of a drawer that is linearly displaceable in the depthdirection (z-direction). The rest of the partial volume of the receivingspace 3 can be closed by two further separate doors 6 and 7 which can bepivoted separately and independently of one another about vertical axesand hence axes oriented in the vertical direction. This embodiment onthe one hand enables the rest of the partial volume of the receivingspace 3 that is not formed by the receiving space 4 to be opened andclosed independently of the receiving space 4—this is done by pivotingthe doors 6 and/or 7 appropriately. Once again independently of this,the receiving space 4 can be opened in that the door 5 is opened andhence the drawer is pulled out.

In the exemplary embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 hastwo further separate receiving spaces 8 and 9 which are freezercompartments. It is also possible for only one freezer compartment to beprovided or for neither of the freezer compartments to be provided.

The two freezer compartments can also in turn be closed by separatedoors 10 and 11, wherein here in the exemplary embodiment shown thesedoors 10 and 11 are also front walls of drawers that are linearlydisplaceable in the depth direction. It is shown by way of example thatthe lower freezer compartment can be closed by the front wall of adrawer 12 embodied as a door 11, wherein here this drawer 12 is shown inthe pulled-out state.

The receiving spaces 3, 4, 8 and 9 are delimited by an inner container,which is in particular made of plastic.

In the following explanation, it is provided in the exemplary embodimentthat a pull-out device 13 is arranged in the receiving space 4. In theexemplary embodiment, the pull-out device 13 is embodied to storefoodstuffs, here in the form of bottles, in particular wine bottles. Thepull-out device 13 is mounted linearly displaceably in the receivingspace 3 in the depth direction. Here, the pull-out device 13 is embodiedas a drawer and, in addition to the front wall formed by the door 5,preferably has two foodstuff storage units 14 and 15. Viewed in thevertical direction, the first foodstuff storage unit 14 is the lowerfoodstuff storage unit. The first foodstuff storage unit 14 has astorage plate or a foodstuff storage base. Hence, the storage plate ishence embodied as a panel or tray. In the exemplary embodiment shown, itis embodied as a strut structure to enable the bottles to be placedthereupon in a roll-proof manner.

Viewed in the vertical direction, here the second foodstuff storage unit15 represents the upper foodstuff storage unit. In the exemplaryembodiment, it is also embodied with a storage plate or foodstuffstorage base and hence as a panel or tray. Here, this is preferablyembodied as a strut structure. In the exemplary embodiment shown, by wayof example two bottles 16 and 17 are arranged horizontally on this upperfoodstuff storage unit 15.

The first foodstuff storage unit 14 is preferably permanently connectedto the door 5. As can be identified in FIG. 3, which showssub-components of the depiction in FIG. 2 in a different perspective,the pull-out device 13 has carrier parts 18 and 19. The carrier parts 18and 19 simultaneously represent side walls delimiting a storage spacebetween the lower first foodstuff storage unit 14 and the upper secondfoodstuff storage unit 15 in the width direction on opposite sides.These carrier parts 18 and 19 are connected at side edges to the firstfoodstuff storage unit 14, in particular also to the door 5. As can beidentified in FIG. 3, a pull-out rail 20, in particular a telescopicpull-out system, is arranged on an outer side of the carrier part 19.This enables the pull-out device 13 to be inserted and withdrawnlinearly in the depth direction and hence displaced in the pull-outdirection (positive z-direction) and against this pull-out direction.

Moreover, the second foodstuff storage unit 15 also has a separatepull-out rail 21, which is preferably also a telescopic pull-out system.This pull-out rail 21, which is correspondingly also embodied on theopposite side, enables the foodstuff storage unit 15, viewed in thedepth direction, to be inserted back and forth, in particular alsoindependently of the first foodstuff storage unit 14. Correspondingly, apull-out rail 20 is also arranged on the opposite carrier part 18, whichis not identifiable in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

The pull-out rails 20 and 21 are preferably arranged on inner sides andvertical side walls of an inner container delimiting the receiving space4. They preferably in each case have a fixed rail permanently attachedto these side walls and a sliding rail that is movable for this purpose.

As can be identified in FIG. 3, said specifications are designed asstorage plates such that at least one trough, in particular an opening24, is embodied between two in each case parallel crossbars 22 and 23. Abottle introduced or placed on such a receiving region 25 or storageregion is hence then positioned in a slip-proof and roll-proof manner.

The pull-out device 13 moreover has a coupling device 26. The couplingdevice 26 enables the foodstuff storage units 14 and 15 to be coupledwith one another in specific positions and hence movement-coupled as aresult.

The coupling device 26 in particular achieves that, in the completelyinserted state, the two foodstuff storage units 14 and 15 are decoupled.If the first foodstuff storage unit 14 is pulled out of this insertedend position in the pull-out direction, in particular by gripping andpulling out the door 5, coupling with the second foodstuff storage unit15 is automatically achieved from a particularly defined pull-outposition provided for this first foodstuff storage unit 14. From thismovement-coupled state, when pulled further out in the pull-outdirection, these two foodstuff storage units 14 and 15 are pulled outtogether.

As can be identified here, the pull-out device 13 has a carrier part 27arranged as a separate component on the plate-like carrier part 18, inparticular on an upper edge. In this exemplary embodiment, the carrierpart 27 is preferably L-shaped. It has an integrated first stop 45 (FIG.3) which is part of the coupling device 26. A further coupling elementis arranged on the second foodstuff storage unit 15, in particulararranged movably, preferably pivotably, thereon. The pivot axis isoriented in the width direction. Viewed in the width direction, thisfurther coupling element is arranged at least partially overlapping thisfirst stop 45. Hence, when the first foodstuff storage unit 14 is pulledout, the stop 45 on its trajectory can then contact the upstream furthercoupling element in the depth direction since this is located in thetrajectory of the first stop 45. When contact has been achieved, thecoupled state between the foodstuff storage units 14 and 15 isestablished.

The coupling element is a one-piece bracket 28. The bracket 28 isintrinsically elastically deformable and hence embodied as intrinsicallyresilient. The bracket 28 is in particular made of plastic, inparticular POM. The bracket 28 is preferably V-shaped, which inparticular generally also includes a notch-like or channel-like shape,in particular also a U-shape. The bracket 28 has a first bracket legthat protrudes downward from the second foodstuff storage unit 15 in thedirection of the first foodstuff storage unit 14. A second bracket legis arranged in the second foodstuff storage unit 15 and arranged incontact with a support. In particular, this creates a counterforce tothe intrinsic deformation. The first bracket leg is in particularcurved.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show an exemplary embodiment of a complete pull-outdevice 13.

In each case, this is an exemplary embodiment of a foodstuff storageunit 14. This foodstuff storage unit 14 has the foodstuff storage base29 as shown in FIG. 3 and mentioned above. This foodstuff storage base29 is embodied as plate-like. It can be a shelf. However, as shown inFIG. 3, for example, this can also be a storage grid. In particular, itis embodied as quadrangular. It has an upper side representing a storagelevel 30. Stored goods can be placed on this storage level 30. In theexemplary embodiment shown, it is provided that the storage level 30 isembodied to store bottles. In particular it is embodied to be intendedonly to be used to store bottles. In particular it is embodied only forthe horizontal storage of such bottles.

Moreover, the foodstuff storage unit 14 has a bottle storage rail 31.The bottle storage rail 31 is arranged on a front edge 32 of thefoodstuff storage base 29. Hence, it directly adjoins the front of thisfoodstuff storage base 30 in the depth direction (z-direction).

In particular, the bottle storage rail 31 is a separate component fromthe foodstuff storage base 29. In one advantageous embodiment, thefoodstuff storage base 29 and the bottle storage rail 31 can beconnected by a mechanical connection 33. In particular, this provides anon-destructive detachable connection. This mechanical connection 33can, for example, have a plug-in connection and/or a snap-on connectionand/or a hook-in connection. In particular, it is also additionallypossible for a magnetic connection to be provided.

It may be recognized in FIG. 3 that, in the width direction(x-direction), the bottle storage rail of the foodstuff storage unit 14extends over the same width as the front edge 32.

The bottle storage rail 31 is embodied for the horizontal storage of abottle. The bottle storage rail 31 has a support channel 35 on an upperside 34. In one advantageous embodiment, the support channel 35 extendsover the entire length of the bottle storage rail 31. This length isdimensioned in the x-direction. The longitudinal axis of the bottlestorage rail 31 is also oriented in this width direction.

A bottle can be placed horizontally from above in this support channel35. It then lies completely in front of the foodstuff storage base 29.In this context, the bottle storage rail 31 also forms a presentationrail thus enabling a bottle to be arranged in a very exposed manner atthe front and hence presented. Hence, it represents a unit forexhibiting the bottle.

It is also possible to display any stored goods that may also possiblybe placed therebehind on the foodstuff storage base 29. This inparticular is also very advantageous in regard of the accessibility ofthis bottle on the bottle storage rail 31.

In one advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the bottle storagerail 31 has an opening which is a ventilation slot 36. This enables anair flow from below the bottle storage rail 31 to enter through thisventilation slot 36. This enables particularly efficient temperaturecontrol of a bottle stored on the bottle storage rail 31.

FIG. 4 is a perspective depiction of a bottle storage rail 31 with aview of the upper side 34.

FIG. 5 shows the bottle storage rail 31 in a further perspectivedepiction, but with a view of an underside 37. The continuousventilation slot 36 is identifiable. It extends without anyinterruptions. It is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axisA of the bottle storage rail 31.

The bottle storage rail 31 is in particular a one-piece component. Itcan, for example, be made of plastic or wood.

As can be identified in FIG. 5, the bottle storage rail 31 has athickening bar 38. This is embodied on the underside 37. It extends overthe entire length of the ventilation slot 36. In particular, it forms adelimiting wall 39 of this ventilation slot 36. On the other hand, itends at a rear edge 40 of the bottle storage rail 31. This thickeningbar 39 partially thickens or enlarges the delimiting wall thatcircumferentially delimits the ventilation slot 36. Hence, in particulara rear delimiting wall 39 of the ventilation slot 36 is larger or higherthan a further front delimiting wall 41, viewed in the depth direction,as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a sectional depiction of the bottle storage rail 31 along theline of intersection VI in FIG. 4. The sectional plane is henceperpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. It may be identified herethat, in one advantageous embodiment, in the depth direction, thisventilation slot 36 is embodied in the rear half 35 a of the contour ofthe support channel 35. A front half 35 b of the contour is also plottedin FIG. 6. In the depiction in FIG. 6, it is formed on the left-handside of the vertical dashed center line. In particular, the ventilationslot 36 is completely embodied in this rear half 35 a of the supportchannel 35. It is in particular provided that a slot outlet 42representing an upper slot outlet is embodied in the contour of thesupport channel 35. The advantageous embodiment of the slot outlet 42embodied in the rear half 35 a of the contour of the support channel 35also has the result that, as advantageously shown here, a rear contoursection 42 a in the depth direction that delimits the slot outlet ishigher in the vertical direction than a front contour section 42 b inthis regard. This also advantageously contributes to the fact that anair flow P that enters the ventilation slot 36 from below exits the slotoutlet 42 and is automatically directed forward to the front half 35 b.In particular, this results in the air flow P being diverted from theslot outlet 42 toward a front end 43 of the bottle storage rail 31.

FIG. 7 is a vertical depiction of a sub-region of the householdrefrigerating appliance 1 according to FIG. 1. Here, the door 11 isshown in the closed state. It may be identified that this bottle storagerail 31 directly adjoins an inner side 44 of this door 11. Moreover, theadvantageous air flow P guided through the ventilation slot 36 isidentifiable. Hence, it is also achieved that this air flow P also flowsonto this inner side 44. This enables the possibility of condensation onthis inner side 44 and hence misting of this inner side 44 to be atleast reduced, in particular prevented. A bottle that is then preferablyalso stored and presented on the bottle storage rail 31 can hence alsoparticularly advantageously be viewed from the outside in the closedstate of the door 11. In particular when the door 11 has at least onedisplay window.

In particular, the rear side 40 of the bottle storage rail 31 liesdirectly on and flush with the front edge 33.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and thecorresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

-   1 Household refrigeration appliance-   2 Housing-   3 Receiving space-   4 Receiving space-   5 Door-   6 Door-   7 Door-   8 Receiving space-   9 Receiving space-   10 Door-   11 Door-   12 Drawer-   13 Pull-out device-   14 First foodstuff storage unit-   15 Second foodstuff storage unit-   16 Bottle-   17 Bottle-   18 Carrier part-   19 Carrier part-   20 Pull-out rail-   21 Pull-out rail-   22 Crossbar-   23 Crossbar-   24 Opening-   25 Receiving region-   26 Coupling device-   27 Carrier part-   28 Bracket-   29 Foodstuff storage base-   30 Storage level-   31 Bottle storage rail-   32 Front edge-   33 Connection-   34 Upper side-   35 Support channel-   35 a Rear half-   35 b Front half-   36 Ventilation slot-   37 Underside-   38 Thickening bar-   39 Delimiting wall-   40 Rear side-   41 Delimiting wall-   42 Slot outlet-   42 a Contour section-   42 b Contour section-   43 End-   44 Inner side-   45 Stop

1. A foodstuff storage unit for a household appliance embodied to storefoodstuffs, the foodstuff storage unit comprising: a plate-shapedfoodstuff storage base forming a horizontal storage level and having afront edge; and a bottle storage rail disposed on said front edge ofsaid plate-shaped foodstuff storage base and is embodied to store abottle.
 2. The foodstuff storage unit according to claim 1, wherein saidbottle storage rail is separate from said plate-shaped foodstuff storagebase and is disposed on said front edge in a non-destructive detachablemanner by means of a connection.
 3. The foodstuff storage unit accordingto claim 2, wherein said connection is a plug-in connection, a snap-onconnection and/or a hook-in connection.
 4. The foodstuff storage unitaccording to claim 1, wherein a length of said bottle storage raildimensioned in a width direction of the foodstuff storage unit is equalto a width of said front edge, which is also dimensioned in the widthdirection.
 5. The foodstuff storage unit according to claim 1, whereinsaid bottle storage rail has a support channel formed therein into whichthe bottle can be placed.
 6. The foodstuff storage unit according toclaim 5, wherein said bottle storage rail has at least one openingformed therein which is a ventilation slot.
 7. The foodstuff storageunit according to claim 6, wherein said ventilation slot is oriented ina width direction of the foodstuff storage unit.
 8. The foodstuffstorage unit according to claim 6, wherein said ventilation slot isembodied in said support channel.
 9. The foodstuff storage unitaccording to claim 6, wherein said bottle storage rail has a thickeningbar on an underside that delimits said ventilation slot on one side sothat a delimiting wall thus formed is larger than a rest of a delimitingwall of said ventilation slot.
 10. The foodstuff storage unit accordingto claim 6, wherein said ventilation slot has an upper slot outletembodied in a rear half of said support channel in a depth direction ofthe foodstuff storage unit.
 11. The foodstuff storage unit according toclaim 10, wherein said slot outlet is embodied such that an air flowflowing therefrom flows in a direction of a front side of said bottlestorage rail.
 12. The foodstuff storage unit according to claim 10,wherein said plate-shaped foodstuff storage base is an uninterruptedshelf or a storage grid.
 13. The foodstuff storage unit according toclaim 1, wherein the foodstuff storage unit is exclusively intended tobe used for a storage of bottles.
 14. A pull-out device for a householdappliance embodied to store foodstuffs on different levels, the pull-outdevice comprising: a first foodstuff storage unit on a first level,being mounted displaceably in a pull-out direction; a second foodstuffstorage unit disposed on a second level different from the first level;and a coupling device with which movements of said first and secondfoodstuff storage units can be coupled and in a movement-coupled statecan be pulled out together in the pull-out direction, wherein at leastone of said first and second foodstuff storage units is embodied inaccordance with claim
 1. 15. A household refrigerating appliance,comprising: a housing having at least one receiving space forfoodstuffs; and at least one foodstuff storage unit according to claim 1and/or a pull-out device according to claim 14 disposed displaceably insaid at least one receiving space in a depth direction of the householdrefrigerating appliance.